The other three compulsory courses seemed quite reasonable.
General Theory of Elements centered around understanding the existence of elemental spirits and establishing a connection with them, along with related meditation methods and various exercises.
However, just like the previous ones, the required reading list for this course was densely packed with several lines of text.
Su Cheng realized she had thought everything would be much simpler.
"...I actually thought I could be like those people, working outside, occasionally coming back to school for classes, squeezing in some time to study, and still manage to get a diploma."
"Oh?" Ian didn't mock her delusions, but merely asked softly, "Those people?"
"Like Xiao Lan, ahem, a core member of the Silver Wing Mercenary Group. He's a sixth-tier warrior, perhaps even what you'd call a peerless genius? Because age-wise, he seems to be a few months younger than me. At least, that's what the people at Nanhe Academy say."
Su Cheng thought for a moment. "But he looks like a half-elf, so I can't rule out the possibility that he's faking his actual age."
If someone else heard this, they might think she had an ulterior motive, perhaps insinuating that Xiao Lan was pretending to be younger than he was—after all, the title of genius was inherently tied to age.
A hundred-year-old grand warrior and a teenage one were two completely different concepts.
However, she was truly just saying it casually, because in this world, anyone involved with the protagonist usually had some sort of hidden identity.
Su Cheng didn't want to overexplain either. Anyway, Ian knew she was a God-favored; she had no reason to be jealous of anyone or say anything sour.
With her current status, others could only be jealous of her.
"That is indeed a possibility."
The blonde young man nodded slightly and said naturally, "Sometimes, in order to integrate into the societies of humans and orcs, half-elves will lie and say they are the same age as the people around them, or that they have a similar growth rate."
"But in reality?"
"In reality, there are many different situations. Take the mixed blood of humans and elves as an example—"
High-level nature elves have long lifespans; living to be over a thousand years old is not an issue. Not to mention, their constitutions are special, and almost all of them are elemental resonators.
With such conditions, elves are almost always elemental mages. Even if it isn't their specialty, they still know a little.
Therefore, it extends their average lifespan even further.
And even if they aren't brilliant mages or warriors, half-elves can generally live past five hundred years. If they cultivate to a certain realm, their lifespans will naturally continue to extend.
"Some half-elves are more like humans. They grow to the point where they can cultivate in just six or seven years, and completely stop growing around the age of twenty, maintaining their peak condition for hundreds of years until they age. There are also some half-elves who grow much slower. They might not speak until their teens, maturing later in both body and mind."
Ian continued to flip through the course selection list as he spoke. "Some humans will be jealous of them, or fear them, or simply be hostile toward them out of a psychological desire to ostracize outsiders. Some half-elves choose to blend in, making themselves more akin to humans, while others—"
Long, pale fingers, like carved jade, turned the parchment scroll. "...Perhaps they choose to stay far away."
Su Cheng nodded slowly.
Of course, humans could also extend their lifespans by cultivating battle aura or magic. Strong individuals with triple-digit ages who still retained their youthful beauty were everywhere.
However, those who could achieve this were ultimately in the minority.
"And a half-elf's talent and constitution are generally much better than a human's."
Ian said leisurely, "The gentleman you mentioned, if he is a half-elf, even if he truly is under eighteen, his achievements aren't worth too much praise. Of course, he can indeed be considered excellent, but that's all."
Su Cheng was a little surprised. "So, do you know anyone more impressive than him?"
"Yes," he smiled slightly. "I know of them, and more than one. As for the most outstanding among them—"
Ian made a dramatic pause, as if trying to keep her in suspense.
"...He has many achievements, some of which have been recorded in epics, but people have forgotten his original name."
Su Cheng looked at him with wide eyes.
However, he didn't continue, only going back to looking at the course selection list. "These are all quite standard—"
Su Cheng: "?"
Su Cheng originally thought she was going to hear some earth-shattering secret, but she didn't expect it to end just like that.
But she suspected this guy was doing it on purpose, baiting her to ask questions.
Su Cheng stared at him for a few seconds and decided not to give him what he wanted.
Wasn't it just a heroic half-elf?
It wasn't like she absolutely had to know!
So she also went back to looking at the course selection list. "There's nothing much to say about the other compulsory courses—"
Basic Magical Runes allowed one to learn ancient magical text and symbols, which formed the foundation of many powerful spells and magical items.
Primary Magic Manipulation and Guidance taught how to safely draw magic from oneself or the outside world, and stably guide it for casting spells.
Basic Elemental Spells and Casting Principles aimed at understanding the synergy of spell syllables, gestures, and mental focus, and also covered the origins and development of spellcraft.
Ordinary elemental mages had some understanding of these things, but academic study was ultimately more systematic and complete. Moreover, the instructors of these courses were highly prestigious in the field of magic.
Some of their names were even written on the textbooks and recommended reading lists.
"...Fortunately, I've also offended one of them."
Su Cheng muttered a complaint, "Even though I didn't mean to do that to him at all—"
Fine.
She did grope the guy's chest, but to be honest, his attitude wasn't that great before that anyway. Furthermore, she had told him not to pull her up!
"Hmm?" Ian raised an eyebrow slightly. "So what did you unintentionally do to him?"
Su Cheng: "...Nothing, at most I just bickered with him a bit, but he started it."
He gave her a deep look. "Then perhaps he's just a difficult person to get along with. But don't worry, I know your school. Those instructors won't bring their personal emotions into the classroom. That's the most basic professional etiquette, although most institutions find it hard to achieve—"
They discussed elective courses for a while, and Su Cheng asked for advice on course arrangements regarding fire and lightning magic.
Because the feeling of manipulating elements of different attributes could vary wildly, some basic training was universal, while others were not.
Ian helped her circle a few relevant elective courses and recommended a few others she could audit.
"For a course like Mixed-Attribute Elemental Restructuring, you don't need to take their exams..."
They left the room as they spoke, passing through a lush, beautiful courtyard and entering the temple's wing through a winding corridor.
The spacious hallway was bathed in sunlight, and the stained glass on the tall crimson-and-gold windows sparkled brilliantly.
The murals extending to the vaulted ceiling were brightly colored. A dazzling halo emerged from the clouds, and a blonde deity looked down at all living beings with a peaceful and compassionate expression.
Su Cheng couldn't help but take a few extra glances, her footsteps slowing down a bit.
Su Cheng: "Is that the God of Light?"
Ian fell silent for a few seconds. "That is the Sun God."
Su Cheng: "...She is really beautiful."
He gave her a half-smile. "Is that so."
Su Cheng: "?"
Why did his tone sound so weird?
"So," Ian looked at her thoughtfully, "you initially thought the God of Light looked like her?"
Su Cheng: "...My eyesight isn't very good, I couldn't see clearly."
Just as she was about to speak, footsteps echoed from the corner of the corridor. It sounded like a group of people was approaching.
Someone among them was speaking.
"Ah, you know, Archbishop Johnson's work in the imperial capital is particularly crucial. Her understanding of the imperial court, her good relationship with the Emperor, and her prestige among the vast community of believers in the Belial diocese are all cornerstones of the harmonious relationship between the Holy See and the Empire. His Holiness the Pope and the College of Cardinals both believe that there is currently no one more suitable than her to work in this most sensitive and important position. If she were transferred, it would cause a lot of losses. At present, there is no suitable successor to replace her..."
The speaker spoke very fast and fluently, as if these words had been repeated many times before.
"...I see."
Another voice sounded somewhat arrogant, but still maintained a polite tone.
"Yes, as for the promotion of Archbishop White, that is also an affirmation of his achievements. He will assume broader responsibilities in his new post, but this by no means implies that Her Grace Johnson is undervalued. On the contrary, keeping the most trusted and experienced Archbishop in the heart of the Empire is precisely a manifestation of the Holy See's extreme trust in Her Grace Johnson's abilities. Her position, in a sense, is of no less strategic importance than any Cardinal's seat."
"I understand," the other person said, but a hint of indignation seeped into her voice. "In short, Her Grace Johnson cannot be promoted, while Archbishop White, who cannot compare to her in age and seniority, might—"
"Your Highness," the previous voice interrupted her. "We are blessed by divine grace to have such devout clerics as Her Grace Johnson and His Grace White. The divine will has planned different paths for them. His Grace White has been called to undertake more macroscopic church management responsibilities, while Her Grace Johnson has been entrusted with the special mission of maintaining the light of faith in the center of the Empire. Both of their duties are very important—"
"Alright, you don't need to give me bureaucratic talk! I just feel..."
They didn't lower their voices at all, seemingly unafraid of being heard by others.
Until the various sounds gradually faded away.
Su Cheng tilted her head. "You heard that conversation just now, right? That person was called 'Your Highness'. She couldn't possibly be a god, so which Prince of the Empire is she?"
"I believe that is Prince Cassiopeia."
Ian paused for a moment. "Ranked second among the Emperor's children."
Su Cheng: "..."
She couldn't remember the specific name, but she had some impression of the ranking.
In the original novel, the second-ranked Prince was a snobbish antagonist. Because he admired Murong Yue very much, or had some designs on her, he looked down on Lin Yun, believing he was completely unworthy of being engaged to her.
Naturally, Lin Yun also hated this Prince, so he seized an opportunity to have an affair with the Prince's wife and even seduced the Prince's daughter.
Su Cheng had skipped some of the plot and hadn't read this part of the story carefully, but this Highness probably couldn't even be considered a proper villain.
Because the screen time was too little, they were just a scapegoat.
But the Prince still seemed to be a devout believer. Whether they were on the inside or not, at least they appeared to be on the surface.
Now that the Prince had changed from a man to a woman, Su Cheng didn't feel much about it.
Su Cheng had no interest in other people's husbands, nor did she have any interest in underage boys.
However—
She was somewhat concerned about what they were just discussing.
Su Cheng: "That Royal Highness seemed very dissatisfied because there is only one Cardinal seat, and Flavia didn't get the promotion, while Zane has this opportunity? Is that what it meant?"
Ian remained noncommittal. "On the surface, that conversation indeed seems so."
He paused, his expression still maintaining that cold look, a familiar trace of irony shining through his eyes.
"Flavia can influence the choice of the heir to the throne—"
The Archbishop currently in charge of the Imperial Capital Temple and the entire Belial jurisdiction, namely Flavia, had served in the capital for a long time and was deeply trusted by the Emperor.
She also had inextricably close ties with the royal family and other major noble houses.
Also because of her position, her evaluation results of the various imperial heirs held immense influence with the College of Cardinals and His Holiness the Pope.
The Holy See was responsible for the Empire's coronation, and the ceremony would be officiated by a certain Cardinal.
However, whether the Holy See recognized a certain heir's identity and qualifications was not solely determined by one Cardinal, but was the result of deliberation by the College of Cardinals.
"Therefore, all the Royal Highnesses are trying to build a deeper 'friendship' with her."
The blonde young man said lightly, "The one just now is the same. To gain Johnson's support, Cassiopeia donates fifty million gold coins to the Holy See every year, and that's only the visible part."
Su Cheng took a soft breath. "I understand. Cassiopeia doesn't want Flavia to leave this post because in the position of Cardinal, the responsibilities change, and the influence on the choice of the imperial heir might not be as great as it is now. Moreover, there are likely more private deals between the two of them. If the Archbishop of the imperial capital is replaced, it means Cassiopeia will have to curry favor with yet another person. However, on the surface, Her Highness the Prince must express dissatisfaction about this, as it looks like Flavia missed a promotion opportunity."
"Yes," Ian nodded slightly. "Although I won't participate in making such decisions, I also approve of this outcome. A person's position depends not only on their seniority and ability, but also on the organization's strategic needs and the judgment of their value in a specific position. However, the Holy See needs to maintain the loyalty and motivation of its senior personnel. If a person with achievements, ability, and sufficient seniority is 'sacrificed' in terms of promotion opportunities due to strategic needs—"
Su Cheng nodded understandingly. "Then compensate her through other means, such as giving her more privileges. She is nominally an Archbishop, but her actual power is probably no less than that of any Cardinal."
He curled his lips into a smile. "It seems you already understand the rules of the game here."
Su Cheng couldn't help but smile. "After all, I have a smart teacher."
Ian glanced at her. "You also know how to comprehend the issues, which is rare."
Before his voice faded, she saw a familiar figure coming from the opposite direction.
The blonde, blue-eyed young man walked through the corridor, holding a stack of letters in his hand. "Your Grace, these are all addressed to you."
Su Cheng thanked him and took them, finding that most were various invitations. The wide assortment of seals on them represented the many noble families of the Empire.
Su Cheng: "These people are really well-informed."
She flipped through them and saw the Murong family's surname, and couldn't help but look at the Archbishop.
"...Marquis Murong heard that you defeated the heretical divine graced ones and are now recuperating in the temple, saying he did not dare to disturb you rashly."
Zane seemingly casually looked at the blonde young man next to him.
Ian didn't even look at him, acting as if he hadn't heard the words at all, and gave no reaction.
Su Cheng didn't notice this small detail, as she was still looking at the envelope in her hand. "This isn't an invitation. It looks like just a letter?"
"It is a letter of apology."
The archbishop continued, "Marquis Murong has sent one million gold coins to apologize for the various inappropriate words and actions of his son, your former fiancé, in Jinpo City."
"Is that so?" Su Cheng was amused. "Is that what he said?"
Zane smiled slightly. "Yes, he could hardly say that he didn't dare let his son face off in court against the favored of His Highness the God of Magic. In fact, very few people would make such a choice."
Su Cheng wanted to mock them a bit more, but suddenly she saw an invitation tucked inside.
Su Cheng: "...An invitation from the Aulu family, asking me to attend a banquet at the Marigold Palace?"
Zane glanced at it, seemingly not taking it seriously. "Yes, it is a gathering of elemental mages—"
Su Cheng: "!"
Wasn't this exactly the banquet the commander wanted her to sneak into!
Clutching the invitation in her hand, Su Cheng tried hard to calm her emotions, not wanting the two clerics beside her to notice anything unusual.
After all, in their eyes, this was probably not a particularly important matter.
If she didn't have to inquire about the dragon bone for the commander, it really wouldn't matter, because this kind of gathering was actually geared more toward mid-to-high-tier mages.
A low-tier mage like herself spent most of her time learning new knowledge rather than collecting rare materials.
But—
Her heartbeat was slightly out of control.
Su Cheng silently cursed herself for being weak. "By the way, I still don't have a magic wand, nor do I have any ideas for one. Is there a chance I might find suitable materials there?"
She had been discussing magic with Ian, and couldn't help but look at him as she said this.
The blonde young man lowered his eyes to look at her. "Who told you?"
He slightly curled his lips. "About there being magic item trades at the Marigold Palace banquet?"
Su Cheng stiffened.
The invitation didn't mention any of this; it simply invited her to the banquet.
Su Cheng puffed out her cheeks. "I have my own sources of information. It is the Aulu family, after all. Before coming to the imperial capital, I roughly familiarized myself with the situation."
Ian did not press further, clearly observing the usual social etiquette.
Zane waited quietly for their conversation to end.
Then he spoke softly, "If you truly have such a need, I think you might be able to find what you want at the Marigold Palace's auction, but please also be prepared to return empty-handed."
In fact, for an elemental mage, the most suitable wand is usually made by themselves—not necessarily forged with their own hands, but requiring a certain degree of participation, especially in the selection of many materials. Because everyone's constitution is different, materials of similar value can have different effects in different people's hands.
Of course, with good luck, one might also pick out a suitable finished wand.
Su Cheng actually understood this; what she said just now was merely an excuse.
She turned her head to look at her course selection advisor. "But many powerful mages don't use wands either, right? Just like you?"
Zane silently lowered his head.
Ian paid him no mind, merely glancing at the young girl in front of him and speaking unhurriedly, "I have had one too, but I advise you not to rely on a wand."
Su Cheng immediately put on the posture of a student listening attentively to a lecture.
He slightly curled his lips, seemingly a bit amused, but quickly returned to his calm demeanor.
"The process of an elemental mage using magic involves resonance, connection, guidance, shaping, release, and manifestation—every single step can be amplified by a wand. Therefore, relying on a wand long-term will diminish your perception, willpower, and ability to regulate your magical circulation. This is true of any auxiliary tool. Of course, if it can help you solve some troubles when necessary, it's not entirely a bad thing."
Ian paused for a moment. "The direction of an elemental mage should not be as a guide to elemental spirits, but as an understander—to perceive the essence of the elements and predict the laws of their flow. When you establish a deeper connection, you can mobilize them with a single thought. The existence of a wand will limit your exploration in this regard; it will act like a wall separating you from the elemental spirits."
As he spoke, he slightly raised his hand.
His long, flawless, jade-white fingers traced through the air. A cyan light rippled where his fingertips passed, and fine, smoky-cyan beams of light emerged like gossamer threads, continuously curling and stretching.
Su Cheng originally thought he was going to cast some sort of spell, and she couldn't help but hold her breath and watch quietly.
However, those threads of light kept dancing, gracefully elongating and extending, gradually forming the outline of something that closely resembled a human face.
Su Cheng was a bit surprised, but she was also mesmerized.
As a special-grade wind element resonator, she could clearly sense the appearances and disappearances of the surrounding elemental spirits—
She knew that these lights were actually a certain trajectory of the wind spirits' movements.
Because Ian precisely controlled their manifestation positions and speeds, it looked as if he were drawing.
Su Cheng: "..."
This level of precision control could be called supernatural perfection; many high-tier mages couldn't achieve it.
To exaggerate a bit, even in the Cross Star Academy, most instructors might not be able to execute it so flawlessly.
She blinked and suddenly noticed another pair of emerald green eyes, staring unblinkingly at the cyan light threads in the air.
Zane was also watching this scene with intense concentration.
He might not be a mage, so his gaze lacked much amazement and admiration, but he still watched very attentively.
However, he was very sensitive. Su Cheng only glanced at him, and he seemingly sensed it, meeting her gaze before looking away as if electrocuted.
—Probably due to the height difference, at the same time, she didn't see the gaze of the other person observing them.
However, Zane saw it perfectly clearly.
In fact, as the favored of the Divine Lord, he didn't even need to use his eyes to sense certain issues.
Su Cheng turned her head back. Ian still maintained a calm and composed demeanor, showing not the slightest hint of emotion.
Su Cheng: "Are you still accepting students? How about I drop out of school and hang out with you!"
Ian slightly raised an eyebrow. "I'm not accepting."
Su Cheng: "..."
Although she wasn't entirely serious, he rejected her so bluntly—
She originally thought he would take the opportunity to invite her to join the Church.
When the air became inexplicably awkward, perhaps to ease the stiff atmosphere, the archbishop spoke up gently from the side.
"If you need it, in Count Gauler's private vault, there is a piece of thousand-year-old thunderwood heart, as well as an Eye of the Storm of extremely high purity—a gemstone nurtured in an outer plane—and a bottle of fire dragon spinal fluid. This is enough to complete the crafting of the wand's body and core, as well as the inlay at the tip."
Zane said this, "Perhaps we could use them to test their compatibility with you—"
"Wait a minute."
Su Cheng interrupted him in a low voice, then looked at Ian's expression, finding that the latter still showed no fluctuation.
She initially thought that he wouldn't be interested in the affairs of the Gauler family, and even if he knew, he might just make a couple of cold, mocking remarks.
Yet he seemed to know the affairs of the imperial capital's royal family like the back of his hand, rather than being indifferent to these worldly matters—
So judging from his current behavior, he most likely knew the full story of the Gauler family incident.
"For that kind of noble family where everyone is a heretic," Su Cheng thought for a moment, "after they are wiped out—I mean executed—how is their property usually... Can the things in the count's private vault be taken out and sold?"
"The Church has certain regulations for the distribution of such wealth. For example, a portion of the money will be used to compensate those who were persecuted by them."
Zane did not give any further explanation, but Su Cheng had already understood.
The wealth used to placate the public was bound to be far less than what was swallowed by the Church.
And as the highest person in charge of the Rosean diocese, Zane probably only needed to hand over a portion, and he could keep the rest for himself.
"In short," the archbishop smiled, "even giving it to you is fine. You don't need to worry about me taking the blame for it."
Su Cheng: "..."
Su Cheng deliberately looked at the other person, only to find that Ian still had an unsurprised expression, as if this was perfectly justified.
He had probably seen too much of it.
Thinking this, Su Cheng said, "Don't go to any expense. If it's suitable, I'll just buy it from you at the market price. You did me a favor last time, after all."
Zane was about to speak, but suddenly shut his mouth.
"...What did His Grace the Archbishop help you with?"
Ian suddenly gave her a half-smile.
Su Cheng hesitated to speak.
He slept with me once to solve my problem?
In the current situation, this answer did not seem like a very appropriate reply.
"Forget it," Ian's gaze swept across their faces, "I have no intention of prying into other people's secrets."
"What's with this passive-aggressive tone?" Su Cheng said, stopping herself mid-thought. "If you really didn't intend to pry, then don't ask. Besides, Zane and I met first!"
The archbishop coughed lightly, "Apologies, you two—"
Ian, however, did not get angry, nor did he talk back. He just looked at her thoughtfully for a few seconds. "You are right. Perhaps I do want to know after all."
Su Cheng choked on her words for a moment. "Whether you want to know is your business, and whether I say it is mine. Of course, if you want to tell him, feel free."
The latter sentence was directed at Zane.
The archbishop's expression looked indescribable to the extreme, as if he were facing some unprecedented dilemma.
Su Cheng had seen a similar expression before.
She used to have a friend who had this exact look when talking about his twin younger sisters in elementary school who constantly argued and fought.
Su Cheng: "...Alright, looking at it from another angle, you and Zane definitely knew each other earlier than I did, so it's not right for me to say that either."
The two blond men briefly exchanged a glance.
The archbishop lowered his head with a bitter smile.
"Sorry," Ian spread his hands, "I just want to understand you more and know about your affairs, within the limits of your permission, of course."
Su Cheng looked at him calmly. "That's how it should be, isn't it? When I asked about your position and you said it was inconvenient to tell me, I didn't pester you endlessly, did I? Let me tell you, if I wanted to play the role of an annoying person, I have plenty of ways. I could annoy you to death. Do you want to try?"
Ian looked at her thoughtfully. "Now that you mention it, I'm actually a bit curious. In fact, if you pestered me endlessly, it sounds quite interesting to think about."
"...In your dreams! Who wants to pester you!"
Su Cheng didn't want to pay attention to him anymore.
Speechless, she went to look through the stack of letters. The invitations that followed were of all sorts; some were for medium to large banquets, while others were more like private invitations.
Those inviting her to dinner ranged from single family heirs to widowed grand nobles, and even some people whose spouses were away and were unwilling to be lonely.
Su Cheng flipped through them one by one, and when she saw some intense and explicit confessions of love, she almost laughed out loud.
Thinking about how none of them had ever seen her, they were either just messing around or simply had a blind hero-worship complex.
If Lin Yun were the one receiving these letters, he would probably already be pondering which lady's house to spend the night at.
But she felt that compared to playing around with widowers or lonely men, she had many more important things to do.
"Is there a problem?"
Ian tilted his head and looked at her.
"Yes."
Su Cheng waved the pile of letters in her hand, deliberately pretending to be interested. "You seem to know the situation in the imperial capital quite well. Who among these people is the best-looking?"
Zane turned his head away again, seemingly not wanting to watch the next scene.
Ian: "..."
Ian took the letters, flipped through them, and handed them back. "As far as I know, they all at least have intact facial features, and no one is universally acknowledged as ugly. So on this basis, what is considered 'good-looking' is a subjective judgment. Since I don't know your standards, my appraisal and evaluation may not align with yours."
Su Cheng touched the invitations. "Really? You don't know? I think I've praised your looks to you more than once, haven't I?"
"Oh," Ian thought for a moment, "Are you trying to find someone like me among them? Then I can tell you, such a person does not exist."
Su Cheng rolled her eyes at him hard. "Appreciating your looks doesn't mean I only appreciate this one type. I also think my—"
Before she knew it, Zane had almost retreated to the corner of the corridor, looking as if he might turn and run away at any moment.
Su Cheng felt a sense of deja vu, as if this scene had happened before.
She swallowed the word "Commander" that had rushed to her lips, raised her chin, and said, "I think His Grace the Archbishop is also very handsome."
At that moment, an expression bordering on despair appeared on Zane's face.
Along with the regret of not having fled earlier.
